Royals’ captain Phillips signs entry-level contract with Flames

Victoria Royals captain Matthew Phillips will ring in the new year as the newest official member of the Calgary Flames.

The 5-foot-7, 155-pound product of Calgary, Alta. was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with his hometown Flames Sunday. Phillips, who was drafted by the Flames in the sixth round, 166th overall, of the 2016 NHL Draft has been a major reason why the Royals have challenged for the B.C. Division title this season.

His 59 points (28G-31A) have him leading the Royals and sitting seventh in the WHL’s scoring race. He ranks seventh in the league for goals scored this season.

Originally drafted by the Royals in second round, 33rd overall, of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Phillips has played 183 WHL regular season games with the Royals, recording 228 points (116G-112A) over the course of his WHL career. After hitting the 50-goal plateau last season, Phillips is well on his way to reaching it again this year. He’s also on pace for his first 100-point season.

Phillips began the 2017-18 WHL regular season with a bang, tallying a hat trick on opening night, going on to record 34 points (15G-19A) in his first 17 games. In his WHL career, Phillips has scored 40 power play goals, four short-handed goals and 22 game-winners.

In 19 career WHL playoff games, Phillips has tallied 11 points (6G-5A).

Phillips and the Royals are back in action Monday, January 1 (2:00 p.m.) PST when they take on the Kamloops Blazers to wrap up a two-game road trip.

.@mattphillips_8 has signed a 3-year entry level contract with the @NHLFlames!

Read: https://t.co/wsz9ZsNXzT pic.twitter.com/Xj9p3K4UBr

— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) January 1, 2018

.@CortexBusiness Transaction Alert: The #Flames have signed @mattphillips_8 to an entry-level deal! https://t.co/RjS1oYna1N

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 31, 2017